wa 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


V 

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w- 


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1.0 


I.I 


U^i^       2.5 


22 
20 

1.8 


1.25 

1.4 

1.6 

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6"     — 

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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  lnstitM,te  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographicaliy  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


J 


D 


n 


n 


□ 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couvertui'e  de  couleur 


I      I    Covors  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicuii§e 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planche?  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Re\\6  avec  d'autres  documents 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
diong  interior  margin/ 

La  re  Mure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutdes 
lors  dune  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  C3S  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  film^es. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppldmentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mdthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


D 
D 
D 
0 
D 


• 


D 
D 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiq  j6  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


Coloured  pages/ 
Page&  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endonimagdes 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pelliculdes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolordes,  tachetdes  ou  piqudes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtachdes 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Quality  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seula  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6x6  filmdes  6  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


26X 


30X 


/ 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


tails 

du 
Ddifier 

une 
mage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  heen  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

University  of  Saskatchewan 
Saskatoon 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  filmd  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

University  of  Saskatchewan 
Saskatoon 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  confat  de 
filma^e. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
rapier  est  imprim6e  sont  filmds  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  7ous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmds  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^■^-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  chaque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  —^  signifie  "A  SUiVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmds  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  cliche,  il  est  film6  id  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  it  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mdthode. 


rrata 
:o 


pelure, 
1  d 


□ 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

SMI  riisoMAN   INSI  1  n   riox. 

l.INITl^lJ    STAT[£S     NATIONAL     MUSEUM, 


HROWING-STICKS    IN    THE    NATIONAL 

MUSEUM. 


i;Y 


OTIS  T.   MASOiV, 


('»',, .'.<>■  •'/   .'■':/■    I  <,■/•.!  r!iii,-i:t    \/    /  t/'il,'/,' 


tlic  Ri-pnit  ol  ihe  Sini;lis(ini;ni   Institution,  ic;S3-'3i,  I'art  1 1,  |iat;o^  271)  2S1),  :nul  pliitt-s  1   X  \  1 1 


WASlIINOroN 


iluNI.KNMKN  1     rUlNllNt;    1  ilI'irK 


I S90. 


J 


I -THROWINrrSTICKS  IN  THE  NATIONAL  MUSEUM. 


Bv  Otis  T.  Mason. 


Col.  Lane  Fox  tells  us  there  are  three  areas  of  the  throwinjj-stick : 
Australia,  where  it  is  simply  an  elongated  spindle  with  a  hook  at  the 
end ;  the  country  of  the  Conibos  and  the  Purus,  on  the  Upper  Amazon, 
where  the  implement  resembles  that  of  the  Australians,  and  the  hyper- 
borean regions  of  North  America. 

It  is  of  this  last  group  that  we  shall  now  speak,  since  the  National 
Museum  possesses  only  two  specimens  from  the  first-named  area  and 
none  whatever  from  the  second. 

The  researches  and  collections  of  Bessels,  Turner,  Boas,  Hall,  IVIintz- 
ner,  Kennicott,  Ray,  Murdoch,  Nelson,  Herendeen,  and  Dall,  to  all  of 
whom  I  acknowledge  my  obligations,  enable  me  to  compare  widely  sep- 
arated regions  of  the  hyperborean  area,  ami  to  distinguish  these  regions 
by  the  details  in  the  structure  of  the  throwing- stick. 

The  method  of  holding  the  throwing-stick  is  indicated  in  Fig.  1 
by  a  drawing  of  H.  W.  Elliott.  The  E^Aimo  is  just  in  the  act  of 
launching  the  light  seal  harpoon.  The  barbed  point  will  fasten  itself 
into  the  animal,  detach  itself  from  the  ivory  foreshaft,  and  unwind  the 
rawhide  or  sinew  line,  which  is  securely  tied  to  both  ends  of  the  light 
wooden  shaft  by  a  martingale  device.  The  heavj  ivory  foreshaft  will 
cause  the  shaft  to  assume  an  upright  position  in  the  water,  and  the 
whole  will  act  as  a  drag  to  impede  the  progress  of  the  game.  The  same 
idea  of  imT)eding  progress  and  of  retrieving  is  carried  out  by  a  multi- 
tude of  devices  not  necessary  to  mention  here. 

The  Eskimo  spend  much  time  in  their  skin  kyaks,  from  which  it 
would  be  dithcult  to  launch  an  arrow  from  a  bow,  or  a  harpoon  from  the 
unsteady,  cold,  and  greasy  hand.  This  device  of  the  throwing-stick, 
therefore,  is  the  substitute  for  the  bow  or  the  sling,  to  be  used  in  the 
kyak,  by  a  people  who  cannot  procure  the  proper  materials  for  a  heavier 
lance-shaft,  or  at  least  whose  environment  is  prejudicial  to  the  use  of 
such  a  weapon.  Just  as  soon  as  we  pass  Mount  St.  Elias  going  south- 
ward, the  throwing-stick,  plus  the  spear  or  dart  of  the  Eskimo  and  the 
Aleut,  gives  place  to  the  harpoon  with  a  long,  heavy,  cedar  shaft,  weigh- 
ing 15  or  20  pounds,  whose  momentum  from  both  hands  of  the  Indian, 
without  the  throw-stick,  exceeds  that  of  the  Eskimo  and  Aleut  dnrts 

279 


280 


REPORT    OF    NATIONAL    MU8KIJM,    1884. 


and  harpoons,  with  the  additional  velocity  imparted  by  the  throwing- 
8tick.  It  must  not  be  forgotten,  also,  that  the  kyak  is  a  very  frail,  nn 
steady  thnig,  and  therefore  not  much  of  the  momentum  of  the  body  can 
be  utilized,  as  it  is  by  the  Northwest  Indians  in  making  a  lunge  with 
a  heavy  shaft.  The  throwingstick  is  also  said  by  some  arctic  voy- 
agers to  be  useful  in  giving  directness  of  aim.  Perhaps  no  other  savage 
device  comes  so  near  in  this  respect  to  a  gun  barrel  or  the  groove  of  a 
bow-gun.  Its  greatest  advantages,  however,  are  the  firm  grip  which 
it  gives  in  handling  u  harpoon  or  dart,  and  the  longer  time  which  it 
permits  the  hunter  to  apjdy  the  force  of  his  arm  to  the  propulsion  of 
his  weapon.  Having  practiced  with  a  throwingstick  somewhat,  I  have 
imagined  also  that  there  was  a  certain  amount  of  leverage  acquired  by 
the  particular  method  of  holding  the  stick  and  straightening  the  arm, 
as  in  a  toggle  joint.  That  implement,  which  seems  so  simple,  and  which 
is  usually  mentioned  and  dismissed  in  a  word,  possesses  several  marks 
or  organs,  which  help  to  distinguish  the  locality  in  which  each  form 
occurs,  as  well  as  to  define  the  associations  of  the  implement  as  regards 
the  weapon  thrown  from  it  and  the  game  i)ursued.    These  marks  are: 

I.  iShape,  or  general  outline  in  face  and  side  view,  and  size. 
L'.  Handle,  the  part  grasped  in  the  hand. 

3.  Thumb-groove  or  thumb-lock,  i)rovi8iou  for  the  firm  and  comfort- 
able insertion  of  the  phalanx  and  ball  of  the  thumb. 

4.  Finger-grooves,  provision  for  each  finger  according  to  its  use  in 
the  manipulation  of  the  implement. 

5.  Finger-pegs,  little  plugs  of  wood  or  ivory  to  give  more  certain  grip 
for  the  fingers  and  to  prevent  their  slipping.  The  devices  for  the  fin- 
gers are  the  more  necessary  where  the  hands  are  cold  and  everything  is 
covered  with  grease. 

G.  Finger-tip  cavities,  excavations  on  the  front  face  of  the  implement, 
into  which  the  tips  of  the  three  last  fingers  descend  to  assist  in  grasp- 
ing and  to  afford  a  rest  on  the  back  of  these  fingers  for  the  weapon 
shaft. 

7.  Index-finger  cavity  or  hole,  provision  for  the  insertion  of  the  in- 
dex finger,  which  plays  a  very  important  part  in  the  use  of  the  throw- 
iug-stick. 

8.  Spear  shaft  groove,  in  which  the  shaft  of  the  weapon  lies,  as  an 
arrow  or  bolt  in  the  groove  of  a  bow-gun. 

9.  Hook  or  spur,  provision  for  seizing  the  butt  end  of  the  weapon 
while  it  is  being  launched.  These  may  be  ridges  left  in  the  wood  by 
excavation,  or  pieces  of  wood,  bone,  ivory,  &c.,  inserted.  The  size  and 
shape  of  this  part,  and  the  manner  of  insertion,  are  also  worthy  of 
notice. 

10.  Edges :  this  feature  is  allied  to  the  form  and  not  to  the  function 
of  the  implement. 

II.  Faces:  upper,  on  which  the  weapon  rests;  lower,  into  which  the 
index  finger  is  inserted. 


Ill 

til 
eil 
lif 

oi| 
re 


bJ 
Pi 


THROWING-STICKS. 


281 


The  tigiirea  illutstirttiiij;  this  article  are  'Irawn  to  a  Kcale  indicated  by 
inch  marks  in  the  niar{;in,  every  dot  on  the  line  Htandinj;  for  an  inch. 

By  the  presence  or  absence,  by  the  number  or  the  shape  of  some  of 
these  marks  or  structural  characteristics,  the  type  and  locality  can  be 
easily  detected.  The  Eskimo  have  everywhere  bows  and  arrows  for 
land  hunting,  the  former  made  of  several  pieces  of  bone  lashed  to;j;ether, 
or  of  a  piece  of  driftwood  lashed  and  re-enforced  with  sinew.  The  ar- 
rows are  of  endless  variety. 

It  should  also  be  noticed  that  the  kind  of  game  and  the  season  of  the 
year,  the  shape  and  size  of  the  spear  accompauyiug  the  stick,  and  the 
bare  or  gloved  hand,  are  all  indicated  by  language  expressed  in  various 
parts  of  this  wonderful  throwing-stick. 


GREENLAND   TYPE. 

The  Greenland  throwing-stick  is  a  long,  flat  trapezoid,  slightly  ridged 
along  the  back  (Fig.  2).  It  has  no  distinct  handle  at  the  wide  end, 
although  it  will  be  readily  seen  that  the  expanding  of  this  part  secures 
a  firm  grip.  A  chamfered  groove  on  one  side  for  the  thumb,  and  a 
smaller  groove  on  the  other  side  for  the  index  finger,  insure  the  imple- 
ment against  slipping  from  the  hunter's  grasp.  Marks  o,  G,  7  of  the 
series  on  page  280  rae  wanting  in  the  Greenland  type.  The  shaft-groove, 
in  which  lies  the  shaft  of  the  great  harpoon,  is  wide,  deep,  and  rounded 
at  the  bottom.  There  is  no  hook,  as  in  all  the  other  types,  to  fit  the 
end  of  the  harpoon  shaft,  but  in  its  stead  are  two  holes,  one  in  the  front 
end  of  the  shaft  groove,  between  the  thumb-groove  and  the  flnger- 
groove,  with  an  ivory  eyelet  or  grommet  for  a  lining,  the  other  at  the 
distal  end  of  the  shaft-groove,  in  the  ivory  piece  which  is  ingeniously 
inserted  there  to  form  that  extremity.  This  last-mentioned  hole  is  not 
cylindrical  like  the  one  in  front,  but  is  so  constructed  as  to  allow  the 
shaft-peg  to  slide  otf  easily.  These  holes  exactly  fit  two  ivory  pegs 
projecting  from  the  harpoon  shaft.  When  the  hunter  has  taken  his 
throwing-stick  in  his  hand  he  lays  his  harpoon  shaft  upon  it  so  that 
the  pegs  will  fall  in  the  two  little  holes  of  the  stick.  By  a  sudden  jerk 
of  his  hand  the  harpoon  is  thrown  forward  and  released,  the  pegs  draw- 
ing out  of  the  holes  in  the  stick.  At  the  front  end  of  the  throwing-stick 
a  narrow  piece  of  ivory  is  pegged  to  prevent  splitting.  As  before  inti- 
mated, this  type  of  throwing-stick  is  radically  difierent  from  all  others 
in  its  adjustment  to  the  pegs  on  the  heavy  harpoon.  In  all  other  exam- 
ples in  the  world  the  hook  or  spur  is  on  the  stick  and  not  on  the  weapon. 


UNGAVA   TYPE. 


One  specimen  from  Fort  Ohimo  in  this  region,  southeast  of  Hudson 
Bay,  kindly  lent  by  Mr.  Lucien  Tuiner,  is  very  interesting,  having  little 
relation  with  that  from  Greenland  (which  is  so  near  ^'•eographically), 
and  connecting  itself  with  all  the  other  types  as  far  as  Kadiak,  in 


282 


UEPOUT    OF    NATIONAL    MUSEUM,    IH84. 


Alsiska  (Fifj.  3).  The  outlinii  of  tho  iini)h'nuMit  is  quitts  elaborate  and 
Nyininetrical,  leHeiiibliii^  at  the  liook  end  a  h(hUe]iead,  and  wi(huiin^ 
continuously  by  hiteral  and  lacial  curves  to  the  Iront,  where  it  is  tiiin 
and  ilat.  A  sligiit  rouiuUMl  noteii  for  the  thumb,  and  a  ionpa-  ciiainfer 
for  three  lingers,  form  the  IianiUe.  Marks  o  and  0  are  wantinjj;.  Tl»e 
cavity  for  the  index  tinffer  extends  (juite  throujrh  tii<5  iniplenuait,  as  it 
does  in  all  cases  where  it  is  on  tlie  side  of  the  harpoon-shaft  groove, 
and  not  directly  under  it.  The  shaft  groove  is  shallow,  and  the  hook 
at  the  lower  extremity  is  formed  by  a  piece  of  ivory  inserted  in  a  par- 
allel groove  in  the  fiddle-head  and  fastened  with  pegs.  It  is  as  though 
a  aaw-cut  one-eighth  inch  wide  liad  been  made  longitudimdly  through 
the  tiddle-head  and  one-half  inch  beyond,  and  the  simcehad  been  (llled 
with  a  ]date  of  ivory  pared  <lown  tiush  with  the  wood  all  round,  except- 
ing at  the  ])rojection  left  to  form  the  liook  or  spur  for  the  harpoon  shaft. 
This  peg  or  spur  fits  in  a  small  hole  in  the  butt  of  the  harjxwn  or  spear 
shaft  and  serves  to  keep  the  weapon  in  its  place  until  it  la  launched  from 
the  hand.  The  Ungava  spear  is  hccavier  than  that  of  the  western  Eskimo, 
hence  the  stick  and  its  spur  are  i)roportionately  larger.  It  is  well  to 
observe  carefully  the  purport  of  the  spur.  A  javelin,  assegai,  or  other 
weapon  hurled  from  the  hand  is  seized  in  the  center  of  gravity.  The 
Greenland  spears  have  the  pegs  for  the  throwingstick  sometimes  at 
the  center  of  gravity,  sometimes  at  the  butt  end.  In  all  other  uses  of 
the  throwing-stick  the  point  of  support  is  behind  the  center  of  gravity, 
and  if  the  weapon  is  not  fastened  in  its  groove  in  cannot  be  hurled. 
This  fastening  is  accomplished  by  the  backward  leaning  of  the  peg  in 
the  Greenland  example,  and  by  the  spur  on  the  distal  end  of  the  throw- 
ing-stick in  all  other  cases. 

CUMBERLAND   GULF  TYPE- 

The  Cumberland  Gulf  type  is  the  clumsiest  throwingstick  in  the 
Museum,  and  Dr.  Franz  Boas  recognizes  it  as  a  faithful  sample  of  those 
in  use  throughout  BafiQu  Land  (Fig.  4). 

In  general  style  it  resembles  Mr.  Turner's  specimens  from  LTngava  ; 
but  every  part  is  coarser  and  heavier.  It  is  made  of  oak,  probably  ob- 
tained from  a  whaling  vessel.  Instead  of  the  fiddle-head  at  the  distal 
end  we  have  a  declined  and  thickened  prolongation  of  the  stick  with- 
out ornament.  There  is  no  distinct  handle,  but  provision  is  made  for 
the  thumb  by  a  deep,  sloping  groove  ;  for  the  index-fluger  by  a  perfo- 
ration, and  for  the  other  three  fingers  by  separate  grooves.  These  give 
a  splendid  grip  for  the  hunter,  but  the  extraordinary  width  of  the 
handle  is  certainly  a  disadvantage.  There  are  two  longitudinal  grooves 
on  the  upper  face  ;  the  principal  one  is  squared  to  receive  the  rectangu- 
lar shaft  of  the  bird  spear  ;  the  other  is  chipped  out  for  the  tips  of  the 
fingers,  which  do  not  reach  across  to  the  harpoon  shaft,  owing  to  the 
clumsy  width  of  the  throwing-stick.     In  this  example,  the  hook  for  the 


end  of 
into  the 


In   Pal 

Igloolik,! 
ing  a  sJ 
for  the  til 
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having  nl 
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Uecla  Stl 

The  A 

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4,  5,  and 
and  furn 
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that  it  is 
simplest 
It  is  as  y 
A  rude  f 
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and  the  I 
tions  as 


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very  lar 


TIIK()WL\(;-STI(KS. 


'JH.'i 


tMul  of  tho  biidspt'iir  sliaCt   is  tli(^  ciuiine  tootli  of  noiiui  iiniiiial  (Irivoii 
into  tho  wood  ut  tlu'distJil  viu)  of  tho  lon^-slinft  groove. 

FURY   AND  IIECLA  STRAITS   TYPE. 

In  Parry'H  Second  Voyage  (p.  508)  is  described  a  throwing  stick  of 
Igh)oliiv,  18  inches  h)ng,  grooved  for  tlie  shaft  of  thcs  hir<lsi)ear,  ami  hav- 
ing a  spike  for  the  liole  of  the  shaft,  and  a  groove  for  the  tliunih  and 
for  the  lingers.  Tlic  index-linger  liolo  is  not  nientioiu'il,  l>ut  n>or«i  than 
probably  it  existed,  since  it  is  nowhere  else  wanting  between  IJngava 
and  Cape  Ronianzolf  in  Alaska.  This  foiin,  if  properly  described  by 
Parry,  is  between  the  Ungava  asid  the  Cnniberlund  (Inlf  specimen, 
having  no  kinship  with  the  tlii'owing-sticik  of  (Jreenland.  The  Natiomil 
Mnseum  shonid  possess  an  example  of  throwing  stick  from  the  Fnry  and 
Uecla  Straits. 

ANDKIISON    niVER   TYPE. 

Tho  Anderson  River  throwingstick  (and  we  shonid  include  the  Mac- 
keuzio  Rh'er  district)  is  a  very  i)rimitive  aflair  in  the  National  Museum, 
being  only  a  tai)ering  dat  stick  of  hard  wood  (Fig.  5).  Marks  2,  ',i, 
4,  .'),  and  G  are  wanting.  Tln^  index-finger  cavity  is  large  and  eccenti  ic 
and  furiushes  a  Arm  h(»ld.  The  shaft  groove  is  a  rambling  shallow  slit, 
not  over  half  an  inch  wide.  There  is  no  hook  or  spur  of  foreign  niateriat 
inserted  for  tho  spear  end  ;  but  simply  an  excavation  of  the  hard  wood 
which  furnishes  an  edge  to  catch  a  notch  in  the  end  of  the  dart.  Only 
one  specimen  has  been  collected  from  this  area  for  the  National  Mu- 
seum; therefore  it  is  unsafe  to  make  it  typical,  but  the  form  is  so  unique 
that  it.  is  well  to  notice  that  the  throwing  stick  in  Eskimoland  has  its 
simplest  form  in  the  center  and  not  in  the  extremities  of  its  whole  area- 
It  is  as  yet  unsafe  to  speculate  concerning  the  origin  of  this  implement. 
A  rude  form  is  as  likely  to  be  a  degenerate  son  as  to  be  the  relic  of  a 
barbaric  ancestry.  Among  the  theories  of  origin  respecting  the  Eskimo, 
that  which  claims  for  them  a  more  southern  habitat  long  ago  is  of 
great  force.  If,  following  retreating  ice,  they  first  struck  the  frozen 
ocean  at  the  mouth  of  Mackenzie'i.^  liiver  and  then  invented  the  kyak 
and  the  throwing  stick,  thence  we  nniy  follow  both  of  these  in  two  direc- 
tions as  they  depart  from  a  single  source. 

P<HNT   BARROW    TYPE. 

Through  tho  kindnessof  I\Ir.  John  jNIurdoch,  i  have  examined  a  uuiuber 
from  this  locality,  all  alike,  collected  in  the  expedition  of  Lieut':nant 
Ray,  U.  S.  A.  (Fig.  6).  They  are  all  of  soft  wood,  and  in  general  out- 
line they  resemble  a  tall  am|)hora,  bisected,  or  with  a  slice  cut  out  of 
tho  middle  longitudinally.  There  is  a  distinct  "  razor-strop"  handle, 
while  in  those  previously  described  the  handle  is  scarcely  distinct  from 
the  body.  Marks  3,  4,  5,  and  G  are  wanting.  The  index-finger  hole  is 
very  large  and  eccentric,  forming  the  handle  of  the  "  amphora."     Tho 


284 


RKPOKT    OF    NATIONAL    MIJMEUM,    lH-14. 


groovi*  for  tilt'  Imrpoon  or  si»'iir-H|iaft  ('oiiuiu'iiccs  <)|)p()Hite  tho  in«l«.\ 
flii{;«'iriivity  us  ii  wliallow  (U'pivs.sioii,  iiiitl  tlt'cpcns  ^riuliially  to  itHotlici 
tixtrcmit.v,  where  the  li(Mik  for  tlie  Npeiir-.sliaft  is  forined  by  an  ivory 
peg.     This  form  is  Htnictiirally  almost  the  same  as  the  Aiulerson  Ki\»'r 
type,  only  it  is  mneh  better  linished. 

KoTZKntlE   SOUND  TVPK. 

The  Kotzel)ue  Hound  typo  is  an  elon{,'ate<l  truncated  pyramid,  or  obe- 
lisk, (lilted  on  all  sides  {V\jX.  7).  The  handle  is  in  the  spiral  shape  so 
fre(jneiit  in  Kskiino  skins<!rai)ers  from  Norton  Sound  and  vi<'inity,  and 
exactly  tits  the  thumb  and  the  last  three  lingers.  Marks  5  and  (J  are 
wanting.  The  index  (cavity  is  a  cul  (h'Hnt\  into  which  the  foretinger  is  to 
be  hooked  when  the  implement  is  in  use.  Especial  attention  is  called  to 
this  «hara(!teristi(!  because  it  occurs  here  for  the  tlrst  time  and  will  not 
be  seen  again  after  we  ])asa  (^ajie  Vancouver.  From  Ungava  to  Point 
Barrow  the  index-tinger  hole  is  ec(!entric  and  the  linger  passes  (piite 
through  the  implement  and  to  the  right  of  the  harpoon  or  spear-shaft. 
In  the  Kotzebue  type  the  index  flnger  cavity  is  subjacent  to  the  spear 
Hhaft  groove,  consequently  the  forefinger  would  be  wounded  or  at  least 
in  the  way  by  jiassing  through  the  stick.  The  spear  or  harpoon  shaft 
groove  is  wi,  ■  and  shallow  and  passes  immediately  over  the  index 
cavity.  The  h)ok  is  of  ivory  and  stands  up  above  the  wood.  It  needs 
only  to  be  mentioned  that  this  type,  as  well  as  those  with  eccentric 
forefinger  perforations  are  used  with  the  naked  hand. 

In  the  quarto  volume  of  Beechey's  Voyage,  page  324,  is  mentioned  a 
throwing-stick  from  Eschscholtz  Bay,  with  a  hole  for  the  forefinger  and 
a  notch  for  the  thumb,  the  spear  being  jdaced  in  the  groove  and  em- 
braced by  the  middle  flnger  and  the  thumb.  This  last  assertion  is  very 
important.  When  I  first  began  to  examine  a  large  number  of  the  im- 
plements, I  could  not  explain  the  cavities  for  the  finger  tips  until  this 
note  suggested  that  the  shaft  rides  outside  of  and  not  under  the  fingers. 
To  test  the  matter  I  had  a  throwing-stick  made  to  fit  my  hand,  and 
found  that  the  spear  could  get  no  start  if  clamped  close  to  the  throw- 
ing-stick by  all  the  fingers;  but  if  allowed  to  rest  on  the  back  of  the 
fingers  or  a  part  of  them,  and  it  is  held  fast  by  the  thumb  and  middle 
finger,  it  had  just  that  small  rise  which  gave  it  a  start  from  the  pro- 
pelling instrument. 

In  the  national  collection  is  a  specimen  marked  Russian  America, 
collected  by  Commodore  John  Rodgers,  resembling  in  many  re8i)ects 
the  Kotzebue  Sound  type.  The  handle  is  of  the  same  razor-strop  shape, 
but  on  the  upper  side  are  three  deep  depressions  for  the  fingertips.  In 
several  of  the  objects  already  described  provision  is  made  for  the  tips 
of  the  last  three  fingers  by  means  of  a  gutter  or  slight  indentations. 
But  in  no  other  examples  is  there  such  pronounced  separation  of  the 
fingers.  In  very  many  of  the  Norton  Sound  skin-dressers,  composed 
of  a  stone  blade  and  ivory  handle,  the  fingers  are  separated  in  exactly 


1444. 


TIIUOVVINC.-STICKH. 


285 


oppoHJto  the  iiulnx- 

fiiidiially  to  itH  other 

tonniMl  hy  ati  ivory 

the  Anderson  River 


ited  pyniniid,  orobe- 
the  Mpiral  !shaj)e  so 
id  and  vicinity,  and 
MarlvM  5  and  «i  are 
di  the  tbreli lifter  is  to 
attention  is  called  to 
'Ht  time  and  will  not 
)in  Unj^'ava  to  Toint 
t  tinger  passes  (juite 
•poon  or  si)ear  shaft. 
>Jacent  to  the  spear- 
wonnded  or  at  least 
ar  or  harpoon  shaft 
ely  over  the  index 
the  wood.  It  needs 
hose  with  eccentric 
d. 

324,  is  mentioned  a 
ir  the  forefinger  and 
the  groove  and  ern- 
ast  assertion  is  very 
;  number  of  the  im- 
inger  tips  until  this 
)t  under  the  fingers, 
to  fit  my  hand,  and 
close  to  the  throw- 
on  the  back  of  the 
thumb  and  middle 
start  from  the  pro- 
Russian  America, 
?  in  many  respects 
e  razor-strop  shape, 
the  finger-tips.  In 
is  made  for  the  tips 
ilight  indentations. 
i  separation  of  the 
Llressers,  composed 
iparated  in  exactly 


I 


i* 


the  same  nninner.  These  skin  dressers  an>  from  the  area  just  south  of 
Kotzebue  Sound.  Th(^  back  of  tlH>  Kodgers  specinu'ii  is  ornamented  in 
its  lower  half  by  nu'ans  of  grooves.  In  its  upper  half  an^  represented 
the  legs  an<l  feet  of  some  animal  carved  out  in  a  gra(!eful  mannei'.  The 
index-finger  <ravity  is  central  an<l  is  seen  on  the  upper  sidii  by  a  very 
slight  rectangidar  perforation,  which,  however,  does  not  admit  the  extru- 
sion of  any  part  of  the  index-finger.  The  upper  surface  is  formed  by 
two  incliui'd  planes  meeting  in  the  center.  Along  this  (leiitral  ridge  is 
excavated  the  groove  for  the  spear-shaft,  deep  at  its  lower  end  and 
<linte  running  out  at  its  upper  extremity.  The  hook  tor  the  end  of  the 
harpoon  shatt  in  this  specimen  resembles  that  seen  on  the  throwing- 
sticks  of  the  region  south  of  Cape  Vancouver.  Th<!  whole  exe<'ution  of 
this  specimen  is  so  much  superior  to  that  of  any  other  in  the  Museum 
and  the  material  soditl'ereut  as  to  create  the  suspicion  that  it  was  made 
by  a  whire  man,  with  steel  tools  (Fig  8).       ^ 

EASTERN   SIBKUIAN   TYPE. 

The  National  I.luseum  has  no  throwingstick  from  this  region,  but 
Nordenskjold  figures  one  in  the  Voyage  of  Vega  (p.  477,  Fig.  o),  which 
is  as  simple  as  the  one  from  Anderson  Kiver,  excepting  that  the  former 
has  a  hook  of  ivory,  while  the  latter  has  a  mere  excavaiion  to  receive 
the  cavity  on  the  end  of  the  weapon.  Nordenskjold's  bird-spear  accom- 
panying the  stick  has  a  bulb  or  enlargement  of  the  shaft  at  the  point 
opi)osite  the  handle  of  the  throwing-stick,  which  is  new  to  the  collection 
of  the  National  Museum.  Indeed,  a  systematic  study  should  now  be 
made  of  the  Siberian  throwiug-sticks  to  decide  concerning  the  commer- 
cial relationships  if  not  the  consanguinities  of  the  people  of  that  region. 

POUT  CLARENCE  AND  CAPE  NOME  TYPE. 

The  specimens  from  this  area  are  more  or  less  spatulate  in  form,  but 
very  irregular,  with  the  handle  varying  from  that  of  the  razor-strop  to 
the  spiral,  twisted  form  of  the  Eskimo  skin-scraper  (Fig.  9).  On  the 
whole,  these  implements  are  quite  similar  to  the  next  group.  A  section 
across  the  middle  of  the  implement  would  be  trapezoidal  with  incurved 
sides.  In  two  of  the  specimens  not  figured  these  curved  sides  are 
brought  upward  until  they  join  the  upper  surface,  making  a  graceful 
ornament.  The  handles  are  not  symmetrical,  the  sides  for  the  thumb 
being  shaved  out  so  as  to  fit  the  muscles  conveniently.  Places  for  the 
Angers  are  provided  thus :  There  is  an  index-finger  cavity  quite  through 
the  stick  indeed,  but  the  index-finger  catches  in  the  interior  of  the  wood 
and  does  not  pass  through  as  in  the  eastern  Arctic  types.  The  middle 
finger  rests  against  an  ivory  or  wooden  peg.  This  is  the  first  appear- 
ance of  this  feature.  It  will  be  noted  after  this  on  all  the  throwing- 
sticks  as  the  most  prominent  feature  until  we  come  to  Kadiak,  but 
the  Unalashkans  do  not  use  it  on  their  throwing-sticks.  Cavities  for 
the  three  last  finger-tips  are  not  always  present,  and  the  hooks  at  the 


286 


REPORT    OF    NATIONAL    MUSEUM,    1884. 


distal  ends  for  the  extremities  oftbe  weapons  are  very  large  plugs  of 
wood  or  ivory  aud  have  beveled  edges  rather  than  points  for  the  re- 
ception of  the  butt  end  of  the  weapon  to  be  thrown. 

NORTON   SOUND   TYPES. 

These  types  extend  from  Cape  Darby  around  to  Cape  Dyer,  includ- 
ing part  of  Kaviagmnt,  the  Mahlemut,  the  TJnaligmut,  and  the  Ekog- 
mut  area  of  Ball,  and  extending  up  the  Yukon  Eiver  as  far  as  the  Eskimo, 
who  use  this  weapon.  The  characteristics  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
last  named  area,  excepting  that  in  many  specimens  there  are  two  finger- 
pegs  instead  of  one,  the  first  peg  inclosing  the  middle  finger,  the  second 
the  ring-finger  and  the  little  finger  ^Figs.  10-13).  A  single  specimen 
collected  by  Lucien  Turner  at  Saint  Michael's  has  no  index  cavity,  the 
forefinger  resting  on  the  first  peg  and  the  other  three  fingers  passing 
between  this  and  the  outer  peg  (Fig.  14).  Another  specimen  of  Nelson's, 
marked  Sabotinsky,  has  tl'e  index-finger  cavity  and  one  finger  peg.  The 
finger-tip  cavity  on  the  ui)per  surface  of  the  handle  forms  the  figure  of 
a  water-bird,  in  which  the  heart  is  connected  with  the  mouth  by  a 
curved  line,  just  as  in  the  pictography  of  the  more  southern  Indians. 

The  Yukon  River  Eskimo  use  a  th rowing-stick  quite  similar  to  the 
Norion  Sound  type.  The  characteristics  are  very  pronounced.  Thumb- 
groove  deep,  index-finger  cavity  so  long  as  to  include  the  first  joint. 
The  hook  for  the  spear-end  formed  by  the  edge  of  a  plug  of  hard  wood. 
The  middle  finger  is  separated  by  a  deep  groove  aud  peg.  The  ring  and 
little  finger  are  inclosed  by  the  peg  and  a  sharp  projection  at  the  upper 
end  of  the  handle. 


tlH 

8ti( 
she 
the 
see 
wo 
me 


NUNIVAK   ISLAND  AND   CAPE   VANCOUVER   TYPE. 

In  this  region  a  great  change  comes  over  the  throwing-stick,  just  as 
though  it  had  been  stopped  by  Cape  Romanzoft,  or  new  game  had  called 
for  modification,  or  a  mixing  of  new  peoples  had  :;iodiii«3d  their  tools 
(Figs.  15-17).  The  index-finger  cavity  and  the  hole  for  the  index  finger 
are  here  dropped  entirely,  after  extending  from  Greenland  uninter- 
ruptedly to  Cape  Romanzoff.  The  handle  is  conspicuously  wide,  while 
the  body  of  the  irnnlemeut  is  very  slender  aud  light.  The  thumb-groove 
is  usually  chamfered  out  very  thoroughly  so  as  to  fit  the  tiexor  muscle 
conveniently.  There  are  frequently  finger-grooves  and  finger-tip  cavi- 
ties in  addition  to  the  pegs.  The  cavity  for  the  index  finger  having 
disappeared,  provision  is  made  for  that  imjjortant  part  of  the  hand  by 
a  separate  peg  and  groove.  The  middle  finger  is  also  pegged  off,  and 
the  last  two  fingers  have  to  shift  for  themselves.  The  hook  for  the 
shaft  of  the  weapon  has  a  fine  point  like  a  little  bead,  the  whole  imple- 
ment being  adapted  to  the  light  seal-harpoon  darts.  Mr.  Dall  collected 
a  large  number  of  two-pegged  stick  from  Nunivak  Island  aud  four 
three-pegged  sticks  labeled  the  same.  Mr.  Nelson  also  collected  four 
three-pegged  sticks,  but  labels  them  Knshiinuk,  Cape  Vancouver,  on 


TIIROWING-sriCKS. 


287 


the  mainlaiu'.  opposite  Nunivak  (Fig.  17).  In  these  thi'ee-pegged 
sticks  the  riug-tinger  and  the  little  linger  are  inclosed  together.  This 
should  be  compared  with  Mr.  Turner's  Saint  Michael  specimen,  in  which 
the  last  three  fingers  are  inclosed  together  (Fig.  14).  It  remains  to  be 
seen  and  is  worthy  of  investigation  whether  crossing  a  narrow  channel 
would  add  a  peg  to  the  throwiug-stick.  One  of  these  Nunivak  speci- 
mens is  left-handed. 

BRISTOL   BAY   TYPE. 

The  tliruwingstick  from  Bristol  Bay  resembles  in  general  character- 
istics those  from  Nunivak  Island  and  Cape  Vancouver.  In  outline  it 
has  the  shape  of  the  broadsword.  Its  cross-section  is  bayonet-sliai)ed. 
It  has  no  distinct  handle  beyond  a  slight  projection  from  the  end.  The 
thumb  groove  is  shallow  and  chamfered  on  the  lower  side  to  tit  exactly. 
There  is  a  long,  continuous  notch  for  the  four  Angers,  in  which  the  index 
finger  and  the  middle  finger  are  set  ofi'  by  pegs.  There  is  a  dei)ression, 
more  or  less  ]>rofouud,  to  receive  the  tips  of  the  fingers.  The  groove 
for  the  harpoon  or  spear-shaft  is  at  the  lower  extremity  and  runs  out 
entirely  near  the  iiidex  finger.  The  ivory  plug  at  its  lower  extremity 
is  beveled  to  receive  a  notch  in  the  end  of  the  spear  or  hari)oon  shaft 
(Figs.  18-19). 

A  freshly-made  implement,  looking  as  if  cut  out  by  machinery,  re- 
sembling closely  those  just  described,  is  labeled  Kadiak.  The  con- 
stant trafiic  between  Bristol  Bay  and  Kadiak,  across  the  Alaskan  pen- 
insula, may  account  for  the  great  similarity  of  these  imi)lement8.  Fur- 
thermore, since  the  natives  in  this  region  and  southward  have  been 
engaged  for  more  than  a  century  in  fur-sealing  for  the  whites,  there  is 
not  the  slightest  doubt  that  implements  made  by  whites  have  been  in- 
troduced and  slightly  modified  by  the  wearer  to  tit  his  hand. 

KADIAK   oil   UNALASHKA   TYPE. 

In  the  National  Museum  are  four  throwing-sticks,  one  of  them  left- 
handed,  exactly  alike — two  of  them  marked  Kadiak  and  two  Unalashka 
(Figs.  20-22).  They  return  to  the  more  primitive  type  of  the  area  from 
Kotzebue  Sound  to  Greenland,  indicating  that  the  implement  culmi- 
nated in  Norton  Sound.  In  outline  this  southern  form  is  thin  and 
straight-siued,  and  those  in  possession  are  all  of  hard  wood.  The  back 
is  carved  in  ridges  to  tit  the  palm  of  the  hand  and  muscles  of  the  thumb. 
There  is  no  thumb-groove,  the  eccentric  index-tinger  hole  of  the  North- 
ern and  Eastern  Eskimo  is  present  in  place  of  the  central  cavity  of  the 
area  from  Kotzebue  Sound  to  Cape  Vancouver,  and  there  is  a  slight 
groove  for  the  middle  finger.  Marks  5  aad  6  are  wanting.  The  .shaft- 
groove  is  very  slight,  even  at  its  lower  extremity,  and  runs  out  in  a  few 
inches  toward  the  handle.  The  hook  for  the  end  of  the  weapon  resem- 
bles that  of  Nunivak,  but  is  more  rounded  at  the  point.  Of  the  Eskimo 
of  Prince  William  Sound,  the  extreme  southern  area  of  the  Eskimo  on 
the  Pacific,  Captain  Cook  says,  in  the  narrative  of  his  last  voyage: 


288 


REPORT    OF    NATIONAL    MUSEUM,    1884. 


*' Their  longer  darts  are  thrown  by  means  of  a  piece  of  wood  about  a 
foot  long,  with  a  small  groove  in  the  middle  which  receives  the  dart. 
At  the  bottom  is  a  hole  for  the  reception  of  one  linger,  which  enables 
them  to  grasp  the  i)iece  of  wood  much  firmer  and  to  throw  with  greater 
force."  Captain  Cook's  implement  corresponds  exactly  to  the  speci- 
mens just  described  and  renders  it  probable  that  this  thin,  parallel- 
sided,  shallow-grooved  throwingstick,  with  indcx-flnger  hole  placed 
at  one  side  of  the  spear-shaft  groove,  extended  all  along  the  southern 
border  of  Eskimoland  as  far  as  the  Aleuts  of  Unalashka  and  Attoo. 
In  addition  to  the  information  furnished  by  the  specimens  in  hand,  Dr. 
Stejneger  describes  a  S)imilar  stick  in  use  in  the  island  of  Attoo.  On 
the  contrary,  Mr.  Elliott  assures  me  that  Aleutian  fur  sealers  of  Priby- 
lov  Island  use  throwing-sticks  precisely  similar  to  those  of  Norton 
Sound  and  Nunivak. 

This  list  might  be  extended  further  by  reference  to  authorities,  but 
that  is  from  the  purpose  of  this  article  and  the  series  of  ethnological 
papers  commenced  in  this  volume.  The  most  perfect  throwing-stick  of 
all  is  that  of  the  Mahlemut,  in  Norton  Sound,  in  which  are  present  the 
handle,  thumb-groove,  finger-grooves,  and  pegs,  cavities  for  the  finger- 
tips, index  finger  cavity,  shaft-groove,  and  hook  for  the  harpoon.  In 
short,  al)  the  characteristics  present  on  the  rest  are  combined  here. 

Classifications  of  these  implements  may  be  varied  according  to  the 
organ  selected.  As  to  the  hook  for  the  attachment  of  the  weapon,  in 
Greenland  this  is  on  the  shaft,  in  all  other  parts  of  the  world  it  is  on 
the  throwing-stick.  As  to  the  index  finger,  there  is  for  its  reception, 
troui  Point  Barrow  to  Greenland,  an  eccentric  hole  quite  through  which 
the  finger  passes.  From  Kotzobue  Sound  to  Norton  Sound  there  is  a 
central  pocket  on  the  back  of  the  weapon,  dii*^ctly  under  the  groove, 
for  the  shaft  of  the  weapon  to  receive  the  index  finger.  From  Cape 
Vancouver  to  Bristol  Bay  an  ivory  or  wooden  peg  serves  this  purpose. 
At  Kadiak  and  Unalashka  the  eccentric  index-finger  hole  returns. 

It  is  more  than  probable  that  further  investigation  will  destroy  some 
of  the  types  herein  enumerated  or  merge  two  more  of  them  into  one ; 
but  it  will  not  destroy  the  fact  that  in  changing  from  one  environment 
to  another  the  hyperboreans  were  driven  to  modify  their  throwing-stick. 

A  still  more  interesiug  inquiry  is  that  concerning  the  origin  of  the 
implement.  It  is  hardly  to  be  supposed  that  the  simplest  type,  that  of 
Anderson  Eiver,  was  invented  at  once  in  iti  present  form,  for  the  Aus- 
tralian form  is  ruder  still,  having  neither  hole  for  the  index  finger  nor 
groove  for  the  weapon  shaft.  When  we  recall  that  the  chief  benefit 
conferred  by  the  throwingstick  is  the  ability  to  grasp  firmly  and  launch 
truly  a  greasy  weapon  from  a  cold  hand,  we  naturally  ask,  have  the 
Eskimo  any  otl)  r  device  for  the  same  purpose?  They  have.  On  the 
shaft  of  the  lig  t-seal  harpoon,  thrown  without  the  stick,  and  on  the 
heavy,  ivory- weighted  walrus  ha. pooii  shaft  an  ivory  hand-rest  is  lashed 
just  behind  the  center  of  gravity.    This  little  object  is  often  beautifully 


I 


1 


THROWING-STIC.':S. 


289 


)d  about  a 
the  dart. 
b1i  enables 
tb  greater 
the  speci- 
,  parallel- 
)le  placed 
southern 
nd  Attoo. 
hand,  Dr. 
ttoo.    On 
of  Priby- 
)f  Norton 

ities,  but 
nological 
g-stick  of 
esent  the 
le  finger- 
)oon.     In 
here, 
ig  to  the 
sapou, in 
it  is  on 
eception, 
?h  which 
liere  is  a 
groove, 
om  Cape 
purpose, 
ns. 

oy  some 
ito  one ; 
ronment 
ig-stick. 
u  of  the 
that  of 
lie  Aus- 
ger  nor 
benefit 
launch 
ive  the 
On  the 
on  the 
lashed 
itifully 


I 


carved  and  prevents  effectually  the  hand  from  slipping  on  the  shaft, 
even  with  the  greatest  lunge  of  the  hunter.  From  this  object  to  the 
throwingstick  the  way  may  be  long  and  crooked,  or  there  may  be  no 
way  at  all.  So  far  as  the  National  Museum  is  concerned  there  is  noth- 
ing to  guide  us  over  this  waste  of  ignorance. 

THROWING-STICKS   IN   THE   U.    S.   NATIONAL   MUSEUM. 


No. 


32995 
3U0i:! 
311942 
33897 
33960 
24336 
24337 
24338 
4C052 
46053 
49036 
38849 
38«0r) 
30014 
36018 
49001 
49002 
73327 

2207 
90407 
44392 
72519 
16242 
16238 
74126 
12981 
89901 
38069 
24335 
33914 

7933 
36013 
72398 
16244 
11346 
16235 
15641 
16237 
10239 
10076 
15647 
15645 
16236 
15642 
15U46 


Locality. 


Collector. 


Norton's  Sound,  Alaska , 

(^nmberlaml  Gulf 

Norton's  Sound,  Alaska  

do 

do  

Saint  Michael's  Sound,  Alaska 

do 

do  

Port  Clarence,  Alaak.i 

do  , 

Rasbonisky,  L.  Yukon 

Yukon  River 

do  , 

KuahuDuk,  Sabotnisky,  Alaska 

Kuskunuk,  Alaska 

Sabotnisky,  Alaska 

do , 

TTnalashka  , 

Anderson  River . . . 

Ugashak        

Cape  Nome,  Alaska 

Cook's  Inlet 

Nuni vak  Island,  Alaska , 

. ...     do    

Uolsteinberg,  Greenland 

Unalasbka  

Point  Barrow,  Alaska 

Chalitmut 

Saint  Michael's,  Norton's  Sonnd,  Alaska 
do 

Kadiak  Island.  Alaska 

Sabotnisky,  Alaska 

Bristol  Bay,  Alaska 

Nunivak  Island,  Alaska 

Bristol  Bay,  Ala.ska , 

Kotzebue  Sound,  Alaska 

Nunivak,  Alaska 

do 

do 

Unalashka,  Aleutian  Islands 

Nunivak,  Alaska 

do 


.do 
do 
.do 


i 


E.  W.  Nelson. 

W.  A.  Mintzner,  U.  S.  N. 

E.  W.  Nelson. 

Do. 

Do. 
Lucien  M.  Turner. 

Do. 

Do. 
W.  H.  Dall. 

Do. 
B.  W.  Nelson. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 
Catlin. 
R.  Kennicott. 
William  J.  Fisher. 
E.  W.  Nelson. 
William  J.  Fisher. 
W.  H.  Dall. 

Do. 
<3r«orge  Merchant,  Jr. 
W.  H.  Dall. 
Lieut.  P.  H.  Ray. 
E.  W.  Nelson. 
Lucien  M.  Turner. 
E.W.Nelson. 
Dr.  T.  T.  Minor,  U.  S.  E,  M 
E.W.Nelson. 
Charles  L.  McKay. 
W.  H.  Dall. 
Vincent  Colyer, 
E.  P.  Horeriden. 
W.  H.  Dall. 

Do. 

Do. 
Sylvanus  Bailey. 
W.  H.  Dall. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 

Do. 


S.  Mis.  33,  pt.  2 19 


I 


PLATE  1. 

(Mason.     Throwing-sticks.) 

Fig.  1.  Eskimo  himichiug  a  seal  harpoou  by  meaDs  of  the  tbrowiug-stick.  Mr.  John 
Murdoch  ntates  that  the  hand  is  held  much  lover  by  the  Point  Barrow 
Eskimo,  the  harpoou  resting  as  low  as  the  shoulder,  and  that  the  move- 
ment of  throwing  the  harpoim  is  quick,  as  in  casting  a  fly  in  fishing. 


Keporl  Nat.  Mus.  18M.— Mason.    Thiowiijg-sticka. 


PLATE  I. 


^ 


ig-stick.     Mr.  John 
tho  Poiut  Barrow 
md  that  thn  iiiove- 
ly  ill  Hshing. 


'* 
•w 


I 


PLATE  II. 

(Mason.    Throwing-Hticks.) 

Fig.  2.  Greenland  type  of  tlirowinK-stick.  The  specific  characteristics  are  the  broad 
form;  the  scanty  grooves  for  thumb  and  fingers;  tlie  absence  of  pegs,  sepa- 
rate tinger  grooves,  or  index  perforation;  but  the  most  noteworthy  are  the 
two  grommets  or  eyelets  to  fit  ivory  pegs  on  tlie  harpoon-shaft.  The  pecul- 
iar method  of  strengthening  the  ends  with  ivory  pieces  should  also  be  noted. 
From  Holsteinbiirg,  Greenland.  1884.     Catalogue  ii'imber,  74126. 


-V 


Report  Nat.  Mii.t.  1«84.— Mason.    'l'lirowiu«-8tlck8. 


PLATE  IL 


1  are  the  broad 
)  of  pegs,  sepa- 
ivorthy  aro  the 
ft.  The  pecul- 
[  also  be  noted. 
126. 


'  liii' 


':i, 


WVl  i 


i 


Fig.  2.  Greenland  throwiug-stick,  back  and  frnnt. 


U»'|H)it  N 


PLATK  III. 

(Mason.     Throwing-Hticks.) 

Fig.  3.  Uiigav.a  tyj)e  of  throwing-stick.  The  specific  marks  are  tlie  gmieral  ontline, 
especially  the  fiddle-head  ornament  at  the  bottom  ;  the  bend  ujiward  at 
the  lower  extremity,  the  eccentric  perforation  for  the  index  finger,  and  the 
groove  for  three  fingers.  Collected  at  IJngava,  by  Lncien  M.  Tnrner,  18ri4. 
Museum  ntimber,  76700. 


It«-|iiiit  Nat.  Mils.  lt<M.— MuNuii.     Tliiuuiii^.Hiit  bi4. 


PLATE  III. 


I  '>l  'I  '  > 


iVi 


\\    ' 


!,  I 


, 


i:w 


7i/ 


% 


Fig.  :?.  UngavatlirowinK-stick,  front  and  hack. 


f 


PLATE  IV. 

(Miison.     Tlirdwiiijj-HtickH.) 

FlO.  4.  Cninberland  Gulf  type  of  tliro\viiij,'.Mti(k.  Tlie  Hpcoilic  iiiarkHan-  tlic  bniad 
clumsy  form,  tlie  Hcparatw  jirovi.sion  for  tlu>  thuiiil)  and  each  liiiKir,  the 
hfiit  lower  extremity,  and  the  liroad  furrow  for  the  hir(l-Mi)ear.  Aecidental 
marks  aro  the  menditi);  of  tlie  liiuidl<',  tlie  material  of  the  stick,  and  the 
canine  tooth  for  the  spur  at  the  bottom  of  the  8<|nare  groove.  Collected 
in  Cumberland  Gulf,  by  W.  A.  Mintzer,  in  1H76.     Museum  number,  :50013. 


4 

'I 


s  an'  tlic  liroad 
lU'Ii  liiij^iT,  tlie 
r.  Accidentiil 
.stick,  imil  the 
ve.  Collected 
inhor,  :{0013. 


Ki'pori  Nat    Ml"    iHh*.— MttiKin      ThKiwIiin  »Iuk«. 


-"miiw/iii/ i«i»^ii^ ■^'"«fliii"''fwn)in, 


'  .„ ' 


I      I 


1;-'  ,    '       . 


w 
•fe 


PLATE  IV 


.-*»W*i*'  t"iliiMpnim^»njr' 


'■■I  I,' 


•  / 


-\m\\ 


il  I 


M 


'^u    1. 1 


Kk;.  4.  Cninberlaiul  Gulf  thi()wiii;j;-stick,  back  and  front. 


■!'% 


PLATE  V. 


(Mason.    Throwing-sticks.) 

Fi^.  ')  Anderson  River  type.  The  speciHe  marks  are  tlie  extreme  plainness  of  form, 
the  lack  of  aceomniodatious  for  the  tlmmbaud  fing-^rs,  excepting  the  eccen- 
tric index-finger  liole,  the  poor  groove  for  the  harpoon-shaft,  and  the  ah 
Hence  of  a  hook  or  8j)ur  at  the  bottom  of  this  groove.  The  accidental  markc 
are  cnts  running  diagonall.v  across  the  back.  In  another  si)ecimen  seen  from 
the  same  locality  the  shaft  groove  is  squared  after  the  manner  of  the  Cum- 
berland Gulf  type.  Collected  at  the  montli  of  Anderson  River,  by  R.  Ken- 
nicott,  in  18(16.     Museum  number,  2267. 

Fig.  6.  Point  Barrow  type  Thespecitic  marks  are  the  distinct  handle  without  finger 
grooves,  the  very  eccentric  index-finger  hole,  the  method  of  inserting  the 
spur  for  the  shaft,  and  t\w  harpoon-shaft  groove  very  shallow  above  and 
d'^ep  below.  In  the  specimens  shown  by  Mr.  Murdoch  there  is  great  uni- 
formity of  shape.  Collected  at  Poiuf  Barrow,  by  Lieut.  P.  H.  Ray,  in  188:^. 
Museum  number,  89902. 


Kf|i(Pll  Nil!    .Mils.  l6Ai.  —  Musdii.     ■riil(i\viii;i-.sti('k.-<. 


PLATE  V, 


iK'NH  of  form, 
iug  the  eccen- 
,  ami  tlio  all 
idental  marks 
men  seen  from 
r  of  the  Cum- 
r,  by  R.  Ken- 

vithout  finger 
inserting  the 
iw  above  and 
18  great  nui- 
Ray,  in  188a. 


~jr%, 


Ml 


I  i 


ill, 


I  'I 


\\i 


1  ' 


I'k;.  ').  Anderson  Rivt  r  tlirowing-wtiek,  front  and  back. 
Fu;.  (i.  Point  liarrow  tlirowing-stick,  front  and  liack. 


Ko 


--?t^. 


PLATE  VI. 


(Mason.    Throwing-aticks.) 

Fig.  7.  Kotzebue  Souucl  type.  The  Hjjecitic  marks  are  the  twisted  handle,  the  broad 
shallow  shaft  groove,  and,  notably,  the  pocket  for  the  index-finger  tip- 
visible  on  the  lower  side,  but  nearly  absent  from  the  upper  side,  and  lying 
directly  under  the  shaft  groove.  In  the  examxdes  before  noted  all  the  holes 
for  the  index  finger  are  to  one  side  of  this  shaft  groove.  Collected  in  Kotze- 
bue Sound,  by  E.  P.  Herendeeu,  in  1874.     Museum  number,  162:55. 

Fig.  8.  The  Rodgers  type,  so  called  because  the  locality  is  doubtful.  In  specific  char- 
acters it  resembles  Fig.  7.  The  differences  are  the  three  cavities  for  finger 
tips  in  the  handle,  the  shaft  groove  very  shallow  and  running  out  before 
reaching  the  Index-finger  cavity,  and  the  delicate  hook  for  the  spear  shaft 
resembling  those  farther  south.  Since  writing  this  paper  two  throwing- 
sticl  a  from  Sitka  have  been  seen  in  many  respects  resembling  this  form,  but 
covered  all  over  their  surfaces  with  characteristic  Thlinkit  mythological 
figures,  and  having  iron  hooks  at  the  lower  end  of  the  shaft  groove.  Col- 
lected by  Commodore  John  Rodgers,  in  18C7.     Museum  number,  2533. 


■m 


"M 


Report  Xnt.  Mu«.  1^84.— Mason.     Tlirowiug-stieks. 


PLATE  VI. 


ile,  the  broad 
ex-finger  tip. 
ide,  and  lying 
lall  the  boles 
cted  in  Kotze- 
2:55. 

specific  char- 
ties  for  finjtjer 
ig  out  before 
e  spear  shaft 
vo  throwing- 
this  form,  but 
mythological 
jroove.  Col- 
r,  2533. 


■'/>■ 

'■«■•.: 


4 


i,%' 


:iM; 


■  1 


j, 


!'.  I  ill 


\ 


% 


Fiu,  7.  Kotzebue  Sound  Ibrowingstick,  from  and  back. 

Fid.  8.  The  Commodore  Kodgers  throwiug-stick,  front  and  back. 


^■^ 


Ktp' 


€• 


PLATE  VII. 

(Mason.     Throwing-gticks.) 

Fig.  9.  The  Port  Clarence  and  Cape  Nome  type.  The  notable  characteristics  are  the 
occurrence  of  an  ivory  peg  in  the  handle  for  the  middle  finger,  the  very 
small  size  of  the  handle,  and  the  central  index-fiuger  pocket  central  in  po- 
sition but  quite  piercing  the  stick.  Collected  by  E.  W.  Nelson,  at  Cape 
Nome,  in  1880.     Museum  number,  44392. 


J 


M 


„l^' 


7*V    Report  Nut.  Miis.  1«84.— Mason.    Throwiua-sticks. 


PLATE  VII. 


M 


istics  are  the 
?er,  the  very 
antral  in  po- 
ison, at  Cape 


hii 


M 


k 


Fir,.  0.  Port  Clarence  and  Cape  Ninno  tlirowitig-stick,  front  iuid  hack. 


Eepoit 


PLATE  VIII. 

(Maaon.    Throwing-stioks.) 

Fio.  10.  Norton  Sound  type,  single-pegged  variety.  Except  in  the  better  finish,  this 
type  resembles  the  one  last  described.  Collected  by  L.  M.  Turner,  at  Saint 
Michael's  Island,  in  1876.     Museum  number,  241^38 


ReiMMt  Nat.  Miis.  IdHl.— Mason.    TlirowingstickH. 


PLATE  VHL 


finish,  this 
er,  at  Saint 


'\\ 


iri: 


I 


(.  i:      \\ 


II 


Fig.  10.  Norton  Sound  throwing-stick,  fro.;t  and  buck. 


Keport  N 


w 


PLATE  IX. 

(Mason.    Throwing-sticks.) 

Fig.  11.  Norton  Sound  type,  two-pegged  variety.  In  all  respects,  excepting  the 
number  of  peys,  this  resembles  Figs.  9  and  10.  In  all  of  them  the  peg  at 
the  bottom  of  the  groove  is  very  clumsy.  Collected  in  Norton  Sound,  by 
E.  W.  Nelson,  in  1878.     Museum  number,  32995. 

Fig.  12.  Tlirowing-stick  from  Sabotnisky,  on  the  Lower  Yukon.  It  belongs  to  the 
Norton  Sound  type.  The  cavity  on  the  upper  side  of  the  handle  for  the 
finger-tips  is  remarkable  for  the  carving  of  a  bird  resembling  figures  seen 
on  objects  made  by  the  Western  Indians  of  the  United  States.  Collected 
by  E.  W.  Nelson,  at  Sabotnisky,  in  1879.     Museum  number,  36013. 


11 


I 


Keport  Nat.  Mum.  Ih84.— Mawou.    'riirowing-HtiukH. 


PLATE  IX. 


Ptiuj?  the 
the  peg  at 
Sound,  by 

ugs  to  the 
die  for  the 
gures  seen 
Collected 
3. 


\J> 


:i\M 


Fig.  11.  Norton  Sound  throwing-stick,  front  and  back. 
Fig.  1'3.  Sabotnisky  tbrowing-Htiek,  front  and  back. 


f 


Kcport 


PLATE  X. 

(Masou.    Tlirowiug-nticka.) 


Fig.  1;<.  Specimen  from  Yukon  River,  belonging  to  the  Northern  Sound  one-pegg»d 
variety.     Collected  by  E.  W.  Nelson,  in  1879.     MuHenm  number,  38849, 


I 


Kt'port  Nat.  Mud.  1884.— Mitituii.    Throwisg-ittlckii. 


PLATE  X. 


™ 


oiie-peggM 
er,  30849, 


si 


'¥  '}    '» 


:<,l' 


I  rev 


ll 


.•i|  hTTil 


Fig.  13.  Yukon  River  tlirowiug-stick,  front  and  biuk. 


R.liiirt 


PLATE  XI. 

(MaHOii.    Throwinn-Bticks.) 

FlO.  14.  Throw iiiy-8tick  Iruiii  Saint  MiiliiU'l's.  TIuh  Hpeciinen  Ih  very  notoworthy  on 
Hcconnt  of  Mio  absence  of  the  index-linger  iioeket,  a  mark  eliaraeterlHtit 
of  the  Vancouver  type,  Fig.  17.  If  the  inid<lle  peg  of  tlie  Vancouver  ex- 
ami)ie  were  removed  the  reHenil»lan<'e  would  be  dose,  l)nt  the  clumsy  npni 
al  thfi  bottom  of  the  nhaft  groovt^  iH  Norton  Sound  rather  than  Nunivak. 
Collected  by  LucienM.  Turner,  at  Saint  Michael's,  in  187(5.  Museum  num- 
ber, 24;}:}r). 


1 

i 


ItMvorthy  on 
iiiru('ti'jiHfi( 
iicoiiver  «'x- 
clmiiisy  Hj»iii 
n  Nuuivak. 
useiini  uum- 


■i 


Ri|Mirt  Nat.  Mil*,  t^(t4.— Maxoii      riiiitwIiiK.Ntlcki. 


k 


'III' 


\   :  * 


I  /], 


ff 


/     / 


X 


PLATE  XI. 


Fig.  14.  Saint  Michael's  tbrdwing-stick,  front  ami  back. 


PLATE  Xll. 

(Mason.    Throwing-sticks.) 

Fig.  15.  Nunivak  type.  The  chaiatterlstic  marks  are  the  absence  of  any  cavity  for 
the  index  fiugor,  the  uicely-fitting  handle,  the  disposition  of  the  linger- 
pegs,  and  the  delicate  point  on  the  ivory  spnr  at  the  bottom  of  the  shaft 
groove.  Collected  by  W.  H.  Dall,  at  Nunivak  Island,  in  1874.  Museum 
number,  1G239.     (This  specimen  is  left-handed.) 


>^. 


Kti)oit  Nat.  MiiH.  1884.— Mason.    Tliiuwing-stkks. 


PLATE  XII. 


cavity  for 

he  liriger- 

the  shaft 

Museum 


'm 


^/(.• 


Fig.  15.  Nunivak  Islaml  throwing-stick,  front  and  back,  loft-haniled. 


PLATE  XIII. 

(Masou.    I'hiowingsticks.) 

Fig.  16.  Six'ciuieu  from  Nuuivak,  right-haLiiled.  Tlie  'jiits  on  the  front  and  back  are 
noteworthy.  Collected  by  W.  H.  D;?!!,  <ii  Nuuivak  Inland,  in  IS*  <  Mu- 
seum uumber,  1G238. 


L^L 


Roll 


ort  Nat.  Mu8.  1884.— Mason.    Throwing-«tii.  k.s. 


J 


ud  back  are 
13-  <      Mn- 


I  Kv, 


'\  \i 


PLATE  XIII. 


FIG.  Ui.  Nuuivak  IslaiKl  tlirowins-stick,  front  an.l  Luck. 


\ 


PLATE  XrV. 

(Mason.    Throwing-etickB.) 

Fig.  17.  Specimen  from  Cape  Vancouver.  In  all  respects  it  is  like  those  of  Nunivak, 
excepting  a  peg-rest  for  the  little  finger.  Collected  by  E.  W.  Nelson,  at 
Cape  Vancouver,  in  1879.    Museum  number,  38669. 


Keport  Nat.  Mus.  16S4.— Mason.    Thniwing  riiitks. 


PLATE  XIV. 


'ii 


Mr  ' 


I  '. 


'[  {; 


\-\}-\ 


% 


Fig.  17.  Cape  Vancouver  throw in<;-stick,  front  anil  Itack. 


lie 


PLATE  XV. 

(Mason,    'iii.  owing-sticks.) 

Figs.  18, 19.  Bristol  Bay  type.  In  no  esseutial  characters  do  these  sticks  differ  from 
those  of  Nunivak.  The  handle  is  smaller,  and  they  appear  to  have 
been  made  with  steel  tools.  Fijj.  18  collected  by  C.  L.  McKay,  at  Bristol 
Bay,  Alaska,  in  188:^.  Mnseum  number,  7'<i398.  Yi^.  19  collected  by 
William  J.  Fisher,  at  Kadiak,  in  1884.     Museum  number,  90467. 


Kepurt  Nat.  Mils.  l«.->4.— .Mason.      riir(nviiii;.stir'k;4. 


PLATE  XV. 


S 


/)1 


1; 


ill      II 


I'l'i'l 


Fig.  18,  Bristol  Biiv  throwing-stirk,  lh)iit  and  liack. 
Fu;.  10.  Bristol  Bay  tlirowiiig-stick,  front  and  l)ack. 


Ker 


PLATE  XVI. 


(Mason.    Tbruwinfr-sticks.) 


Fig.  20.  Uualasbkau  throwing-stick.  It  would  be  better  to  call  this  form  the 
Soutbern  type.  The  noticeabli!  features  iu  all  our  specimens  are  the 
parallel  sides,  the  bard  material,  thinness,  the  carving  for  the  fingers,  but 
above  all  the  reappearance  of  the  eccentric  cavity  for  the  index  finger. 
This  cavity  is  not  a  great  perforation,  as  iu  the  Point  Barrow  type,  but  an 
eccentric  pocket,  a  compromise  between  the  Northeru  cavity  and  that  of 
the  East,  Collected  by  Sylvanus  Bailey,  at  Unalashka^  in  1874.  Maseum 
number,  16076. 


Report  Nat.  Muu.  1884.— Mason.    Throwing-sticks, 


!l;il 


'i'lli 


PLATE  XVI. 


Fig.  20.  Uualashkun  throwins-stick,  front  and  back. 


Krpdit  Nat.  MiiN.  !>■> 


PLATE  XVII. 

(MaHiin.    Throwiug-8tickH.> 

FlGB.  21,  22.  TLiowiiig-KtickM  of  the  Southeni  ty\n\  Fig.  21  is  Ifft-haiiiU'd,  tolloctcd 
l>y  Dr.  T.T.  Minor,  at  Kadiak,  in  l&tii*.  MiiHeuni  number,  7{)3;{.  Fig. 
22  collected  by  W.  H.  Dall,  at  L'nalaMlika,  in  187:5.  MiiHeuni  nninl)er, 
]2ityi.  At  8itka  two  Mjieciniens  were  collected,  unfortunately  not  <in- 
ured,  with  the  following  cliaracter.s  laid  down  in  tlie  beginning  of  thin 
pajier:  1.  Short,  very  narrow  and  deep,  and  carved  all  over  with  de- 
vices. 2.  No  handle  distiuct  from  the  botly.  H,  4,  .'»,<!.  All  wanting. 
7.  The  index-linger  cavity  is  near  the  center  of  the  buck,  very  like  a 
thimble.  Indeed  this  is  a  veiy  striking  feature.  8.  The  shaft  groove 
occnjjies  only  the  lower  half  of  tlie  upper  surface.  D.  The  spur  for  the 
end  of  the  weapon  shaft  is  a  long  piece  of  iron  like  a  knife-blade  <lriven 
into  the  wood,  with  the  edge  toward  the  weapon  shaft. 


i,'l!i 


1;'' 


I 


Fig, 
Fig, 


l;i'|inii  Niii.  MiiN.  IKM  — Mastiii.     'I'liripwinn  HtlckM. 


PLATE  XVII. 


"r  I   i 


m 


'  n 


';li:  1 


Vji 


\" 


I'  t 


I    I 


21 


Fig,  v!l.  Kadiak  thmwiiig-stick,  front  ami  liack,  left  liaudcd. 
Fig.  '22.  UnahiHlikan  throwiug-stick,  front  and  back. 


